The boundaries between reality and fiction often blur in professional wrestling, especially when it comes to portraying larger-than-life characters. Vince McMahon’s on-screen persona as an abusive, power-hungry billionaire raises a compelling question: how much of that character was just an act, and how much reflected his true nature? That’s for the public to decide.
In the case of the now-disgraced wrestling promoter, only the four walls of his office and his legal team know the full extent of the truth. As details of his alleged misdeeds come to light, we, the audience, have been thrust into the role of judge and jury, left to grapple with the complexities of a man who wielded immense power both in the ring and behind the scenes.
WWE’s story is inextricably tied to Vince McMahon. It’s fair to say that McMahon, like a few others, has played the role of a puppet master in the complex world of professional wrestling, where spectacle and power intertwine. Over time, his legacy has become tarnished, with success breeding corruption on multiple levels. Notably, hush money was allegedly paid to victims who wished to remain anonymous.
On September 25th, Netflix, in collaboration with director Chris Smith (known for Tiger King), will release a six-episode docuseries that promises to generate much more than just buzz in the professional wrestling community. Through this series, Smith aims to “pull back the curtain to reveal the true Vince McMahon, hidden behind the persona he presented to the world.” Executive-produced by Smith and Bill Simmons, the docuseries will chronicle the rise and fall of McMahon, the controversial businessman and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
The series explores McMahon’s strategic moves that elevated WWE/WWF from a small-time promotion to a global powerhouse, as well as the explosive sexual misconduct allegations that eventually led to his resignation. “Over the four years of production, the story evolved in truly shocking ways, culminating in some extremely harrowing allegations. The final product is a revealing documentary that we believe offers a rich and nuanced portrait of the man and the complex legacy he left behind,” Smith shared in an interview with Netflix, which accompanied the release of the key art poster and premiere date.
It will be fascinating to see who Smith interviewed during the more than 200 hours of recorded conversations, ranging from McMahon’s family members and business associates to some of the most prominent figures in professional wrestling, as well as the journalists who uncovered the allegations against McMahon. However, the most attention will likely be focused on McMahon’s own words during his interviews, which took place before his resignation earlier this year.
The upcoming Netflix docuseries on Vince McMahon carries a certain irony, especially will premiere just a few months before Netflix becomes the exclusive home to WWE Raw (currently airing on USA Network), while WWE SmackDown will move to a new home in 2025. This timing raises eyebrows and invites speculation—could there be more to this story than meets the eye? Is this just a coincidence, or is there a larger strategy at play? The juxtaposition of a hard-hitting exposé on McMahon’s controversial legacy with Netflix’s future partnership with WWE might make some wonder if this is all part of a carefully orchestrated plan.
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